Written by

Gary Mihoces
| USA TODAY Sports

True to his form this year, California Chrome made it look easy in the Kentucky Derby.

He became the first California-bred horse in 52 years to win the first leg of the Triple Crown, and he continued the fairytale story of his 77-old-year trainer and the small-time owners who bred him with a total investment of $10,000 â?" and recently turned down a $6 million offer to buy him.

California Chrome, who had won his four previous starts by a total of 24 ½ lengths, became the first California native to win the Derby since Decidedly in 1962. ...